Ballyvourney monastic site


	Ballyvourney Monastic site The remains of the monastic settlement at Ballyvourney are located about a kilometre south of the town. There are two Holy wells at the site that were originally pagan shrines, St Gobnait's well and St Abbans well. One of the main features of the site is St Gobnait's grave pictured above, this is more than likely a small prehistoric mound containing a small chamber. On the top of the mound is a small slab, during the turas or pattern that takes place here each year on the 11th February, pilgrims walk around the different stations and scratch crosses on them as they do the rounds, you can just make out the cross scratched in the slab in the image above. Another feature here is a sheela-na-gig carved into one of the lintels over a medieval church window. There are also said to be three bullaun stones present here but I only saw two, the best of which is shown below. There is also a very early dwelling known as St Gobnait's house. Not far from here is St Gobnait's Stone, a cross pillar with a Maltese cross inscribed inside a double circle. one side also bears a figure with a crosier.
Situated: From Macroom, County Cork travel west on the N22 towards Kerry. You will then enter the Gaeltacht area, go through Baile Mhic Ire (Ballymakerry) and after the church and school on your right take the next left turn signposted. About 400 metres down here you will come to the first holy well. Take the next right for the Church. Google Map Discovery OS. Map 79: W 198 767 . Last visit June 2007. Photos: Jim Dempsey

Ballyvourney

Monastic site

The remains of the monastic settlement at Ballyvourney are located about a kilometre south of the town. There are two Holy wells at the site that were originally pagan shrines, St Gobnait's well and St Abbans well. One of the main features of the site is St Gobnait's grave pictured above, this is more than likely a small prehistoric mound containing a small chamber. On the top of the mound is a small slab, during the turas or pattern that takes place here each year on the 11th February, pilgrims walk around the different stations and scratch crosses on them as they do the rounds, you can just make out the cross scratched in the slab in the image above. Another feature here is a sheela-na-gig carved into one of the lintels over a medieval church window. There are also said to be three bullaun stones present here but I only saw two, the best of which is shown below. There is also a very early dwelling known as St Gobnait's house. Not far from here is St Gobnait's Stone, a cross pillar with a Maltese cross inscribed inside a double circle. one side also bears a figure with a crosier.

Situated: From Macroom, County Cork travel west on the N22 towards Kerry. You will then enter the Gaeltacht area, go through Baile Mhic Ire (Ballymakerry) and after the church and school on your right take the next left turn signposted. About 400 metres down here you will come to the first holy well. Take the next right for the Church.

Google Map

Discovery OS. Map 79: W 198 767 . Last visit June 2007.

Photos: Jim Dempsey

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